Thursday's local action begins at 8 a.m. with the Firecracker 5K run and 1K walk, sponsored by The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. Sign up at the Dukum Inn. The Red, White & Blue parade rolls through downtown at 9 a.m., the Splash Bash (featuring free strawberry floats) at the Aquatic Center goes from 1-4 p.m., and fireworks from the Kirksville Country Club cap the night at 9:30 p.m.

Music and pies

Friday, July 5, is a later start, with activities set for the Adair County Courthouse lawn beginning at 5 p.m. with the Kirksville Community Band and a Veteran's Tribute. The annual pie auction and apple pie contest starts at 6 p.m., and apple pie and ice cream will be on sale from 5-7 p.m.

Friday's activities come to an end with the Kirksville Arts Association's Summer on the Square concert featuring Mystery Train at 7 p.m.

Food, exercise and theatre

Saturday, July 6, marks the third and final day of celebrations, starting with the Joint Service Club Pancake Breakfast from 7-11 a.m. in the Downtown Cinema 8 parking lot. At the same time on Elson Street, the Kirksville Kiwanis Farmers' Market is on its regular schedule.

If you're looking for activity, the Hilliest FLATS Ride Ever bicycle event starts at 7:30 a.m. from the parking lot south of the Wooden Nickel. Then from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Forest-Llewellyn Cemetery is the annual Cemetery Theatre.

And in Hurdland...

The 141st annual Fourth of July Celebration in nearby Hurdland, Mo., starts July 3 with events including a celebration meal, music and Little Mr. and Ms. Firecracker Contest.

Then on July 4 the annual parade rolls through at 11 a.m. A loaded schedule of events (available on page 10B of the Sunday Daily Express) includes a veteran's salute, live music, tractor show, bingo, a car show, basketball free throw contest, talent contest, kids contests, pedal tractor pull, backseat drivers contest, baby contest and more. It's all capped at 10:15 p.m. by the fireworks display.

For more information and to register...

For events in Hurdland, call (660) 423-5209 or (660) 892-4226.

To find entry forms and information for events in Kirksville, visit www.KirksvilleChamber.com and click the link for the Red, White and Blue Festival.